Method and apparatus for manufacturing excrement treatment material

ABSTRACT

The manufacturing method includes a granulation step. The granulation step is a step of forming a plurality of granules by performing extrusion granulation on a granulation material using a granulation machine. The granulation machine includes a die. A plurality of through holes that allow the granulation material to pass therethrough are formed in the die. The plurality of through holes include first through holes having a first diameter, and second through holes having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of International Application No.PCT/JP2017/028197 filed Aug. 3, 2017, which claims the benefit ofJapanese Application No. 2016-172665 filed Sep. 5, 2016. The contents ofthese applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus formanufacturing an excrement treatment material.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional excrement treatment material is disclosed in, forexample, Patent Document 1. The excrement treatment material is composedof a plurality of cylindrical grains. The plurality of grains includetwo types of grains that have different diameters. That is, grains(first grains) that have a first diameter, and grains (second grains)that have a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameterexist in a mixed manner.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2016-67329 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The excrement treatment material in which grains of different diametersexist in a mixed manner as described above is conventionallymanufactured by separately forming grains having a relatively largediameter and grains having a relatively small diameter, and thereaftermixing the both grains However, executing the mixing step has been afactor that adds complexity to the process for manufacturing anexcrement treatment material.

Solution to Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the problem describedabove, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a methodand an apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment material, withwhich it is possible to obtain an excrement treatment material thatcontains grains of different diameters in a mixed manner, withoutexecuting a mixing step.

A method for manufacturing an excrement treatment material according tothe present invention includes a granulation step of forming a pluralityof granules by performing extrusion granulation on a granulationmaterial using a granulation machine. The granulation machine includes adie in which a plurality of through holes that allow the granulationmaterial to pass therethrough are formed. The plurality of through holesinclude first through holes having a first diameter, and second throughholes having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

According to the manufacturing method, the granulation machine includingthe die in which the first and second through holes are formed is used.The diameter (second diameter) of the second through holes is smallerthan the diameter (first diameter) of the first through holes. For thisreason, granules having a relatively large diameter are obtained fromthe granulation material that has passed through the first throughholes, and granules having a relatively small diameter are obtained fromthe granulation material that has passed through the second throughholes. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an excrement treatmentmaterial that contains grains of different diameters in a mixed manner,without executing a mixing step after the granulation step.

Also, an apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to the present invention includes a granulation machine thatforms a plurality of granules by performing extrusion granulation on agranulation material. The granulation machine includes a die in which aplurality of through holes that allow the granulation material to passtherethrough are formed. The plurality of through holes include firstthrough holes having a first diameter, and second through holes having asecond diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

The manufacturing apparatus includes the granulation machine includingthe die in which the first and second through holes are formed. Thesecond through holes have a smaller diameter than the first throughholes. For this reason, granules having a relatively large diameter areobtained from the granulation material that has passed through the firstthrough holes, and granules having a relatively small diameter areobtained from the granulation material that has passed through thesecond through holes. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an excrementtreatment material that contains grains of different diameters in amixed manner, without executing a mixing step after the granulation bythe granulation machine.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to implement a methodand an apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment material, withwhich it is possible to obtain an excrement treatment material thatcontains grains of different diameters in a mixed manner, withoutexecuting a mixing step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an excrement treatment materialaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grain 30 contained in the excrementtreatment material shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along the line III-III shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a grain 40 contained in the excrementtreatment material shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing anexcrement treatment material according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a granulation machine 10 included in themanufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the granulation machine 10 included in themanufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a part of the end face along the line IX-IXshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a coating machine 20included in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a granulation step of a method formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the granulation step of the method formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a die 12 according to a modified example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the drawings. In the description of thedrawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and aredundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an excrement treatment materialaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. An excrementtreatment material 6 is an excrement treatment material that is composedof a plurality of grains, and contains grains 30 and grains 40. Thegrains 30 and 40 have mutually different diameters. That is, thediameter of the grains 30 is larger than the diameter of the grains 40.In the excrement treatment material 6, grains 30 and 40 that havedifferent diameters are present in a mixed manner. The length of thegrains 30 and the length of the grains 40 are substantially equal. Theexcrement treatment material 6 is a material used in the disposal ofexcrement from an animal such as a cat by absorbing the excrement.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a grain 30. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line III-III shown in FIG. 2. The grain 30 has asubstantially cylindrical shape. The grain 30 includes a core portion 32(granule) and a coating portion 34. The core portion 32 is formed in asubstantially cylindrical shape. The core portion 32 is a granuleobtained from a granulation material that has passed through a throughhole 13 a of a die 12, which will be described later. The core portion32 has a function of absorbing and retaining excrement. The core portion32 preferably contains an organic substance as the main material. Asused herein, the main material of the core portion 32 refers to one ofthe materials constituting the core portion 32 that accounts for thehighest proportion by weight in the core portion 32. Papers, used tealeaves, plastics, or soybean refuse, for example, can be used as theorganic substance.

Papers refer to a material composed mainly of pulp. Examples of papersinclude ordinary paper, a vinyl chloride wallpaper classified product(paper obtained by classifying vinyl chloride wallpaper), a fluff pulp,papermaking sludge, pulp sludge, and the like. A disposable diaperclassified product (plastic obtained by classifying disposable diapers),for example, can be used as the plastics. The soybean refuse ispreferably dried soybean refuse.

The coating portion 34 covers the core portion 32. The coating portion34 may cover the entire surface of the core portion 32, or may coveronly a portion of the surface of the core portion 32. The coatingportion 34 has a function of bonding grains 30 and 40 that have absorbedexcrement while in use, and clumping them together. The coating portion34 also preferably contains an organic substance as the main material.

The coating portion 34 contains an adhesive material. As the adhesivematerial, it is possible to use, for example, starch, CMC (carboxymethylcellulose), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), dextrin, or a water-absorbentpolymer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a grain 40. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. 4. The grain 40 has asubstantially cylindrical shape. The grain 40 includes a core portion 42(granule) and a coating portion 44. The core portion 42 is formed in asubstantially cylindrical shape. The core portion 42 is a granuleobtained from the granulation material that has passed through a throughhole 13 b of the die 12, which will be described later. The diameter ofthe core portion 42 is smaller than the diameter of the core portion 32.The length of the core portion 32 and the length of the core portion 42are substantially equal. The core portion 42 has a function of absorbingand retaining excrement. The core portion 42 is made of the samematerial as the material of the core portion 32.

The coating portion 44 covers the core portion 42. The coating portion44 may cover the entire surface of the core portion 42, or may coveronly a portion of the surface of the core portion 42. The coatingportion 44 has a function of bonding grains 30 and 40 that have absorbedexcrement while in use, and clumping them together. The coating portion44 is made of the same material as the material of the coating portion34.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing anexcrement treatment material according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. A manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for manufacturingthe above-described excrement treatment material 6. The manufacturingapparatus 1 includes a granulation machine 10 and a coating machine 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively a plan view and a bottom view of thegranulation machine 10. Also, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a part of theend face along the line IX-IX shown in FIG. 7. The granulation machine10 is an extrusion granulation machine that forms a plurality ofgranules (core portions 32 and 42) by performing extrusion granulationon a granulation material (a material for forming the core portions 32and 42). The granulation machine 10 includes a die 12, a roller 14 and acutter 16. A plurality of through holes 13 that allow the granulationmaterial to pass therethrough are formed in the die 12. Note that“plurality of through holes 13” refer to all of the through holes 13formed in the die 12 unless otherwise indicated in the descriptionsbelow. Each of the through holes 13 is circular in plan view. Theplurality of through holes 13 are distributed substantially over theentire surface of the die 12.

The plurality of through holes 13 include through holes 13 a (firstthrough holes), and through holes 13 b (second through holes). Thethrough holes 13 a have a first diameter. The through holes 13 b have asecond diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The firstdiameter and the second diameter are defined as the diameters of thethrough hole 13 a and the through hole 13 b respectively at the surfaceof the die 12. The second diameter is preferably not more than 70% ofthe first diameter, and more preferably not more than 50% of the firstdiameter.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of through holes 13 consistonly of the through holes 13 a and the through holes 13 b. The number ofthe through holes 13 b formed in the die 12 is preferably between 40%and 60% inclusive with respect to the total number of the through holes13 a and the through holes 13 b formed in the die 12. The through holes13 b are disposed outside the through holes 13 a in a radial directionof the die 12. That is, the through holes 13 b are disposed at positionsfarther from a rotation shaft 15, which will be described later, thanthe through holes 13 a. For that reason, the diameters of the pluralityof through holes 13 monotonously decrease as going away from therotation shaft 15.

As shown in FIG. 7, the roller 14 is provided on the front surface sideof the die 12 (the side into which the granulation material enters). Theroller 14 has a cylindrical shape, and its central axis extends in aradial direction of the die 12. In the present embodiment, a pluralityof the rollers 14 (specifically four rollers 14) are provided. An end ofeach of the rollers 14 is connected to the rotation shaft 15 located atthe center portion of the front surface of the die 12. The rollers 14push the granulation material into each of the through holes 13 whilerevolving around the rotation shaft 15. In the present embodiment, eachof the rollers 14 rotates around its central axis, and revolves aroundthe rotation shaft 15. The rollers 14 can pass over all of the throughholes 13 formed in the die 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cutter 16 is provided on the back surface sideof the die 12 (the side from which the granulation material isdischarged). The cutter 16 extends in a radial direction of the die 12from the center portion of the back surface of the die 12. The cutter 16cuts the granulation material that has been extruded from each of thethrough holes 13 while rotating along the back side of the die 12. To bespecific, the cutter 16 rotates about the center portion of the die 12within a plane that is parallel to the back surface of the die 12. Thecutter 16 is configured to be capable of rotating independently from therollers 14 described above. The cutter 16 can pass over all of thethrough holes 13 formed in the die 12.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the coating machine 20 is a machine forcoating each of the granules (core portions 32 and 42) formed by thegranulation machine 10 with a coating material (a material for formingthe coating portions 34 and 44). As shown in FIG. 10, the coatingmachine 20 includes a drum 22 (container). The drum 22 has asubstantially circular tube shape, and is provided so as to be capableof rotating. Specifically, the drum 22 is rotatable about its centralaxis. The central axis of the drum 22 is horizontal. A plurality of coreportions 32 and 42 formed by the granulation machine 10 are housed inthe drum 22. The coating machine 20 causes the coating material to beattached to the outer surface of each of the core portions 32 and 42while rotating the drum 22 in which the core portions 32 and 42 arehoused.

Next, a method for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will be described inconjunction with the operations of the manufacturing apparatus 1. Themanufacturing method includes a granulation step and a coating step. Thegranulation step is a step of forming a plurality of core portions 32and 42 by performing extrusion granulation on a granulation materialusing the granulation machine 10. Prior to granulation, the granulationmaterial is subjected to pre-treatment such as pulverization, kneading,and adding water, as needed.

In the granulation step, as shown in FIG. 11, a granulation material M1supplied on the front surface side of the die 12 is pushed into thethrough holes 13 by the rollers 14 rolling on the front surface of thedie 12. The granulation material M1 pushed into the through holes 13 isextruded toward the back surface side of the die 12. On the back surfaceside of the die 12, the cutter 16 continuously rotates while thegranulation material M1 is extruded. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12,the granulation material M1 that has been extruded from the throughholes 13 is cut by the cutter 16. Cut portions obtained through thecutting in the manner described above are granules (core portions 32 and42).

The coating step is a step of coating each of the granules formed in thegranulation step with a coating material. In the coating step, the coreportions 32 and 42 formed in the granulation step are housed in the drum22 (see FIG. 10), and thereafter the coating material is attached to theouter surface of each of the core portions 32 and 42 while rotating thedrum 22. The coating material may be attached by, for example,sprinkling or spraying the coating material. In this way, coatingportions 34 and 44 are formed. Then, post-treatment such as sieving anddrying is performed as needed. Through the above processing, theexcrement treatment material 6 that contains the grains 30 and thegrains 40 in a mixed manner is obtained.

Advantageous effects of the present embodiment will be described. In thepresent embodiment, the granulation machine 10 including the die 12 inwhich the through holes 13 a and the through holes 13 b are formed isused. The diameter (second diameter) of the through holes 13 b issmaller than the diameter (first diameter) of the through holes 13 a.For this reason, granules (core portions 32) having a relatively largediameter are obtained from the granulation material that has passedthrough the through holes 13 a, and granules (core portions 42) having arelatively small diameter are obtained from the granulation materialthat has passed through the through holes 13 b. Accordingly, it ispossible to obtain the excrement treatment material 6 that contains thegrains 30 and 40 of different diameters in a mixed manner, withoutexecuting a mixing step after the granulation step.

The excrement treatment material 6 is used by being placed in an animallitter box. In the animal litter box, an animal such as a cat dischargesexcrement onto the excrement treatment material 6 while the animal isstanding directly on the excrement treatment material 6. Accordingly, ifgaps between grains that constitute the excrement treatment material 6are large, the excrement treatment material 6 may significantly sinkwhen an animal walks on it, and the animal may be unstable on its feet.To address this, in the excrement treatment material 6, in addition tothe grains 30, the grains 40 that have a diameter that is smaller thanthe diameter of the grains 30 are provided. With this configuration,when the excrement treatment material 6 is placed in the animal litterbox, the grains 40 enter the gaps between the grains 30. For thisreason, a plurality of grains (grains 30 and 40) can be placed in theanimal litter box at a higher density than when the configuration inwhich the excrement treatment material 6 is composed only of the grains30 is used. Accordingly, with the excrement treatment material 6, it ispossible to suppress sinking while the animal is on the excrementtreatment material 6.

In order to make it easy for the grains 40 to enter the gaps between thegrains 30, it is advantageous that the diameter of the grains 40 issufficiently smaller than the diameter of the grains 30. From thisviewpoint, the second diameter is preferably not more than 70% of thefirst diameter, and more preferably not more than 50% of the firstdiameter.

In the case where the number of the through holes 13 b is between 40%and 60% inclusive with respect to the total number of the through holes13 a and the through holes 13 b, it is possible to obtain the excrementtreatment material 6 that contains two types of grains (grains 30 and40) in a mixed manner with good balance.

In the granulation machine 10, the granulation material is pushed intothe through holes 13 by the rollers 14 that revolve around the rotationshaft 15. In such a configuration, the force of the rollers 14 pushingthe granulation material weakens as going away from the rotation shaft15. That is, there are differences in the force of the rollers 14pushing the granulation material depending on the distance from therotation shaft 15. Such force differences cause variations in thehardness of granules to be obtained.

To address this, in the present embodiment, the diameters of theplurality of through holes 13 monotonously decrease as going away fromthe rotation shaft 15. Specifically, the through holes 13 b are disposedoutside the through holes 13 a in a radial direction of the die 12. Inthe case where the force of pushing the granulation material isidentical, the pressure applied to the granulation material increases asthe diameter of the through holes 13 becomes smaller. Therefore, it ispossible to suppress variations in the hardness of granules (coreportions 32 and 42) by disposing the through holes 13 b having therelatively small diameter at positions relatively far from the rotationshaft 15 (positions in which the force of pushing the granulationmaterial is relatively weak), and disposing the through holes 13 ahaving the relatively large diameter at positions relatively close tothe rotation shaft 15 (positions in which the force of pushing thegranulation material is relatively strong).

During the coating, the coating material is attached to the outersurface of each of the core portions 32 and 42 while rotating the drum22 in which the core portions 32 and 42 are housed. By doing so, it ispossible to uniformly attach the coating material to the entire outersurface of each of the core portions 32 and 42. Also, as a result of thedrum 22 being rotated, the core portions 32 and 42 are agitated, and itis therefore possible to further suppress uneven distribution of thegrains 30 (grains 40) in the manufactured excrement treatment material6.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment given above, andvarious modifications can be made. In the embodiment given above, anexample has been described in which the die 12 is provided with twotypes of through holes (the through holes 13 a and the through holes 13b). However, the die 12 may be provided with three or more types ofthrough holes having different diameters. For example, as shown in FIG.13, the plurality of through holes 13 may include through holes 13 c(third through holes) in addition to the through holes 13 a and thethrough holes 13 b. The through holes 13 c have a third diameter that issmaller than the second diameter. The third diameter is preferably notmore than 70% of the second diameter, and more preferably not more than50% of the second diameter. The through holes 13 c are disposed outsidethe through holes 13 b in a radial direction of the die 12.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whichthe planar shape of the through hole 13 is circular. However, the planarshape of the through hole 13 is arbitrary, and may be elliptic orpolygonal, for example. In the case where the planar shape of thethrough hole 13 is not circular, the diameter of the through hole 13 isdefined as the diameter of the minimum circle that can contain thethrough hole 13.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whichthe diameters of the plurality of through holes 13 monotonously decreaseas going away from the rotation shaft 15. However, plural types ofthrough holes having different diameters may be disposed in an arbitrarypositional relation. For example, a through hole having a relativelysmall diameter may be disposed inside a through hole having a relativelylarge diameter in a radial direction of the die 12. Also, plural typesof through holes having different diameters may be disposed in the die12 at random.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whichthe granulation machine 10 is provided with the rollers 14. However, thegranulation machine 10 need not be provided with the rollers 14. In thatcase, the granulation material may be pushed into each of the throughholes 13 by known means other than the rollers 14.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whichthe granulation machine 10 is provided with the cutter 16. However, thegranulation machine 10 need not be provided with the cutter 16. In thatcase, the granulation material that has been extruded from each of thethrough holes 13 may be cut by known means other than the cutter 16.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whicheach grain 30 has a multi-layer structure composed of the core portion32 and the coating portion 34. However, there is no need to provide thecoating portion 34. That is, each grain 30 may have a single-layerstructure composed only of the core portion 32. The same applies to thegrains 40. In this case, it is unnecessary to provide the coatingmachine 20, and the coating step is not executed.

In the embodiment given above, an example has been described in whichthe grains 30 and 40 are water-absorbent grains used in the disposal ofexcrement by absorbing the excrement. However, the grains 30 and 40 maybe water-permeable grains that are used in the disposal of excrement byallowing the excrement to permeate therethrough. There are two types ofwater-permeable grains: grains that allow excrement to pass through theinterior of the grains; and grains that allow excrement to pass throughthe gaps between the grains. An example of the latter grains iswater-repellent grains.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Manufacturing Apparatus

6 Excrement Treatment Material

10 Granulation Machine

12 Die

13 Through Hole

13 a Through Hole (First Through Hole)

13 b Through Hole (Second Through Hole)

13 c Through Hole (Third Through Hole)

14 Roller

15 Rotation Shaft

16 Cutter

20 Coating Machine

22 Drum (Container)

30 Grain

32 Core Portion (Granule)

34 Coating Portion

40 Grain

42 Core Portion (Granule)

44 Coating Portion

1. A method for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialcomprising: a granulation step of forming a plurality of granules byperforming extrusion granulation on a granulation material using agranulation machine, wherein the granulation machine includes a die inwhich a plurality of through holes that allow the granulation materialto pass therethrough are formed, and the plurality of through holesinclude first through holes having a first diameter, and second throughholes having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.2. The method for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to claim 1, wherein the second diameter is not more than 70%of the first diameter.
 3. The method for manufacturing an excrementtreatment material according to claim 2, wherein the second diameter isnot more than 50% of the first diameter.
 4. The method for manufacturingan excrement treatment material according to claim 1, wherein the numberof the second through holes formed in the die is between 40% and 60%inclusive with respect to the total number of the first and secondthrough holes formed in the die.
 5. The method for manufacturing anexcrement treatment material according to claim 1, wherein thegranulation machine includes: a rotation shaft that is located at acenter portion of the die; and a roller that pushes the granulationmaterial into each of the through holes while revolving around therotation shaft.
 6. The method for manufacturing an excrement treatmentmaterial according to claim 5, wherein the second through holes areprovided at positions farther from the rotation shaft than the firstthrough holes.
 7. The method for manufacturing an excrement treatmentmaterial according to claim 6, wherein diameters of the plurality ofthrough holes monotonously decrease as going away from the rotationshaft.
 8. The method for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes includethird through holes having a third diameter that is smaller than thesecond diameter.
 9. The method for manufacturing an excrement treatmentmaterial according to claim 8, wherein the third diameter is not morethan 70% of the second diameter.
 10. The method for manufacturing anexcrement treatment material according to claim 9, wherein the thirddiameter is not more than 50% of the second diameter.
 11. The method formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 1,comprising a coating step of coating each of the granules formed in thegranulation step with a coating material.
 12. The method formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 11,wherein, in the coating step, the coating material is attached to anouter surface of each of the granules while rotating a container inwhich the plurality of granules formed in the granulation step arehoused.
 13. An apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatmentmaterial comprising: a granulation machine that forms a plurality ofgranules by performing extrusion granulation on a granulation material,the granulation machine including a die in which a plurality of throughholes that allow the granulation material to pass therethrough areformed, wherein the plurality of through holes include first throughholes having a first diameter, and second through holes having a seconddiameter that is smaller than the first diameter.
 14. The apparatus formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 13,wherein the second diameter is not more than 70% of the first diameter.15. The apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to claim 13, wherein the granulation machine includes: arotation shaft that is located at a center portion of the die; and aroller that pushes the granulation material into each of the throughholes while revolving around the rotation shaft.
 16. The apparatus formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 15,wherein the second through holes are provided at positions farther fromthe rotation shaft than the first through holes.
 17. The apparatus formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 16,wherein diameters of the plurality of through holes monotonouslydecrease as going away from the rotation shaft.
 18. The apparatus formanufacturing an excrement treatment material according to claim 13,wherein the plurality of through holes include third through holeshaving a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter. 19.The apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to claim 13, comprising a coating machine that coats each ofthe granules formed by the granulation machine with a coating material.20. The apparatus for manufacturing an excrement treatment materialaccording to claim 19, wherein the coating machine includes a containerthat houses the plurality of granules formed by the granulation machine,and causes the coating material to be attached to an outer surface ofeach of the granules while rotating the container in which the pluralityof granules are housed.